1. Introduction to Phu Ly Banh Cuon

This signature dish has been associated with the lives of the people of Phu Ly - Ha Nam (Ninh Binh province) for generations. Phu Ly Banh Cuon is not only a familiar breakfast dish but also a source of pride for the culinary scene at the southern gateway of the capital, Hanoi. The skillful creativity from familiar ingredients such as Tam xoan rice, pork, and fresh herbs has created a dish rich in identity.

Phu Ly Banh Cuon is delicious and attractive. (Source: Collected)

Different from Thanh Tri Banh Cuon or Bac Ninh Banh Cuon, Phu Ly Banh Cuon impresses with an extremely thin, silky smooth, glass-like layer of cake. Not only the flavor but also the way of enjoying it with fragrant grilled meat and hot dipping sauce are the points that attract diners visiting Ha Nam.

2. Special features of Phu Ly Banh Cuon

Using Tam Xoan Rice

The important factor that creates the characteristic flavor of Phu Ly Banh Cuon is the tam xoan rice variety. Tam xoan rice, with small, round grains, when cooked, has a clear sweet taste and moderate chewiness, thereby creating a soft, smooth, moderately chewy crust that is not rough or hard.

Phu Ly rice rolls are made with a characteristic tam xoan rice. (Source: Collected)

The rice processing stage is carried out meticulously. Tam xoan rice is soaked in clean water for 3 to 4 hours for the grains to swell evenly, then ground into a fine liquid batter. The meticulous filtering of the batter through multiple layers of cloth is the secret to creating the transparency and smoothness of the cake. In the past, many families even used rainwater to soak the rice, adding natural sweetness and softness to the cake.

Each stage, from soaking and grinding to filtering the batter, directly affects the quality of the finished rice rolls. Only when the batter reaches a perfect smooth state can the baker steam a truly thin, translucent layer of cake, ensuring the necessary chewiness when wrapping the filling.

Fried shallots with pork fat

An indispensable highlight of Phu Ly rice rolls is the fragrant layer of fried shallots made from pure pork fat. The dried shallots are finely chopped and evenly fried in pork fat until they release a very special aroma, which creates a difference compared to using ordinary cooking oil.

Golden crispy fried shallot layer on Phu Ly rolled rice paper cake. (Source: Collected)

Freshly made, piping hot rolled rice paper cake will be quickly dipped into a pot of lightly simmering fried shallots. This action requires dexterity to prevent the cake from tearing, while the layer of fried shallots and pork fat coating the outside of the cake helps create a suitable gloss and richness without being greasy.

The harmony of the shallot aroma with the sweetness of the cake creates a layer of flavor that is hard to confuse with other types of rolled rice paper cakes. Thanks to this, Phu Ly rolled rice paper cake becomes prominent, clearly preserving the culinary traditions of the North.

Served with grilled meat, pickled vegetables

Pork belly or shoulder is carefully selected, cut into bite-sized pieces, then marinated with dried shallots, pepper, fish sauce, and a little honey to make the color more appealing. The meat is grilled over a glowing charcoal stove, turned evenly so the outside is golden brown, while the inside remains tender and sweet, retaining its natural aroma.

Hot grilled meat served alongside creates the distinctive flavor of Phu Ly Banh Cuon. (Source: Compilation)

Mixed pickles with finely shredded cucumber and carrots, mixed with fresh herbs and seasoned with vinegar, a little sugar, and chili, create a refreshing, tangy, and crisp taste. This dish helps balance the richness of the banh cuon, making the palate more harmonious and adding more vibrant colors to the dish.

In addition, fresh herbs such as lettuce, perilla leaves (tia to), and mint are all selected from young, fresh green leaves, washed clean and thoroughly drained. As a result, each piece of banh cuon eaten with fresh herbs brings a multi-layered taste experience, rich in nutrients, and enhances the sophistication of the folk cuisine of the Northern Delta region.

Hot, elaborately prepared dipping sauce

The dipping sauce plays a decisive role in the flavor experience of Phu Ly Banh Cuon . The main ingredient is good fish sauce, mixed with sugar, vinegar, filtered water, or coconut water; sometimes a little bone broth is added to enhance the mild sweetness. The proportion of each seasoning must be carefully adjusted so that the sweet, sour, and salty flavors blend harmoniously.

The dipping sauce bowl is the “soul” of the Phu Ly rolled cake dish. (Source: Collected)

The special characteristic of Phu Ly rolled cake dipping sauce is that it is always served hot, with pepper, chili, and minced garlic. Hot water helps the spices blend well, creating a pleasant aroma and a deeper, richer flavor when served with rolled cakes. Garlic and chili also add a mild spiciness, just enough to stimulate the diner's taste buds.

Each restaurant has its own secret recipe, but all aim for a balanced flavor profile and a lingering subtle sweetness. A standard dipping sauce must be clear, mild, create depth of flavor, and not overpower the taste of the cake.

3. How to make traditional Phu Ly rolled cakes

3.1. Preparing "authentic" ingredients

To make delicious Phu Ly rolled cakes, Tam xoan rice grains should be uniform, firm, and free from impurities, and old rice should be avoided to preserve its natural sweetness. Fresh rice grains are off-white, glossy, and have a characteristic toasted aroma. When soaked in water, quality rice will swell evenly without breaking apart.

Shallots should be small, firm to the touch, with dry outer skins, not sprouted or shriveled. Pork belly or shoulder must be fresh, with an appropriate fat-to-meat ratio, so that the meat is tender and retains its sweetness after grilling. Too much fat can make it greasy, while too lean meat can become dry.

Fresh herbs such as lettuce, perilla, and mint should also be fresh leaves, free from pests and diseases, washed and drained before use. Accompanying seasonings like fish sauce, vinegar, sugar, pepper, garlic, chili, and honey must all be of good quality to contribute to the authentic traditional flavor.

3.2. Process for steaming thin, even, unbroken rolled cakes

The first step is soaking Tam xoan rice in clean water for about 3 to 4 hours so the grains soften evenly, then grinding it with water in the appropriate ratio to produce a thick batter. The filtering process using multiple layers of cloth helps remove sediment, resulting in a smooth batter.

After filtering, add water to the batter to a moderate consistency and let the batter rest for about 15-20 minutes for the ingredients to bind well. The steaming pot must be brought to a rolling boil, with a thin, taut cloth stretched flat over the top.

When steaming, ladle just enough batter onto the hot cloth, use a ladle to spread it into an extremely thin layer, cover with a lid and steam for about 30-40 seconds until it turns translucent. Use a bamboo skewer or a thin knife to gently lift the cake from the cloth, then quickly dip the cake in hot fried shallots and neatly arrange it on a plate.

3.3. Making grilled meat to accompany

Pork belly is sliced about 0.5 cm thick to ensure even cooking when grilled. The meat is marinated with minced shallots, ground pepper, fish sauce, and a little honey for 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate thoroughly.

Grill the meat over medium charcoal heat, turning it regularly so the outside is golden brown and slightly charred, while the inside remains tender and sweet. Charcoal smoke imparts a distinctive flavor to the meat that other grilling methods struggle to achieve. Once cooked, let the meat cool slightly before cutting into bite-sized pieces to enjoy with Phu Ly rolled cakes.

3.4. Making the local-style dipping sauce

The standard way to make the dipping sauce begins with choosing fish sauce with high protein content and an amber hue. The basic ratio is 3 parts fish sauce, 2 parts filtered water or coconut water, 1 part vinegar, with sugar added to taste; sometimes a little bone broth is used to enhance sweetness.

Notably, the dipping sauce is made while hot so the sugar dissolves and the flavors blend evenly. Adding minced garlic, sliced chili, and ground pepper at the right time helps the dipping sauce become fragrant and have an appealing spiciness. Before serving, stir well and adjust seasoning to taste.

A small tip is to make small batches of dipping sauce to always maintain its freshness and clarity. The finished dipping sauce must achieve a balance between sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors, with a light, clean aftertaste and clarity. Depending on the family, the seasoning ratio may be adjusted, but always retains the traditional spirit of this region.

4. Suggestions for 4 delicious Phu Ly rolled cake eateries

4.1. Phu Ly Rolled Cake and Grilled Pork Sausage - Hung Nu

Located at 217C Truong Chinh, Phu Ly, and with 3 other branches, Hung Nu eatery is an authentic Phu Ly rolled cake destination. The cakes are hand-steamed thin, smooth, soft but not torn; the filling of minced pork mixed with wood ear mushrooms is seasoned richly and naturally savory.

Notably, the rolled cakes here are served with crispy rice crackers, creating a unique and unusual combination in Phu Ly. Bamboo-skewered grilled pork sausage is well-marinated and grilled over medium heat, retaining the meat's sweetness and tenderness. Each serving includes 4 skewers of sausage, priced at only about 30,000 VND. The restaurant space is spacious and airy, with car parking available, and service is fast even when crowded.

4.2. Minh Ngoc Nhu Y Rolled Cake and Grilled Pork Sausage

Another choice favored by locals is Minh Ngoc Nhu Y rolled cake and grilled pork sausage, a long-standing eatery with a simple yet cozy style. The cakes here cost about 40,000 VND per serving, are steamed fresh upon order, with soft, smooth cakes and fragrant fillings, served with a skillfully made sweet and sour dipping sauce. The grilled sausage is fragrant, not too fatty, appealing to both adults and young people. However, the eatery is only open in the morning and often sells out early, so you should go early to avoid long waits. The address is located at alley 198 Truong Chinh, Phu Ly.

4.3. Phuong Thanh Rolled Cakes

If you are looking for a long-standing family-run eatery, Phuong Thanh rolled cake and grilled pork sausage is a name not to be missed. The cakes are evenly steamed, pleasantly soft and chewy; the flavorful dipping sauce is made with a secret recipe, slightly sweet aftertaste and fragrant with fried shallots. The grilled sausage is golden brown, with a hint of charcoal smoke, evoking a rustic, old-fashioned feel. The space is small but clean, suitable for a quick meal for groups of 2-3 friends. The eatery is located at 73 Nguyen Viet Xuan, Phu Ly, with prices around 35,000 VND per serving.

4.4. Phu Ly Rolled Cake Leo Quan

For those who like to eat dinner, Leo Quan is a rare choice that stays open late. The eatery is located at a prominent, easy-to-find corner, featuring plates of thin, soft rolled cakes and rich meat fillings. The dipping sauce is well-seasoned; a few skewers of fragrant grilled sausage are enough for a satisfying light meal. The space is humble but clean and airy, with ample parking. The eatery is located at 160 Truong Chinh, Phu Ly.

5. Suggested itinerary for a complete culinary and travel experience in Ha Nam

Starting the day at 7:00 AM, enjoy Phu Ly rolled cakes at restaurants or traditional eateries. As the sun rises, visitors can explore Ba Dan Pagoda and Ngoc Mountain, then have lunch at nearby restaurants to continue experiencing other specialties like Vu Dai Village braised fish. Ba Dan Pagoda is about 10 km from Phu Ly center, a place of worship for Thien Y A Na, who is highly revered locally.

In the afternoon, spend time at Sun World Ha Nam tourist area, where there are many modern restaurants serving Phu Ly regional dishes in comfortable settings. Combining entertainment with exploring local cuisine is an enjoyable activity for the whole family.

With Phu Ly rolled cakes, each bite is an opportunity to better feel the culinary culture of Ninh Binh through each thin layer of cake and fragrant grilled meat. Plan your trip to enjoy this special flavor with friends and family and create unforgettable memories.